1873: A Visit by a Reorganized LDS Minister

While there were Mormons in Jefferson County in the 1800s, most of the activity by a church that got labelled as Mormon was by the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. A group that split from the LDS and followed Joseph Smith, son of the LDS founder of the same name., the RLDS did not call itself Mormon and in 2000 was renamed the Community of Christ. There were at least two RLDS branches in Jefferson County in the late 1800s. They probably both failed by 1910. One was on Hall's Ridge, and probably called the Mt. Pleasant Branch, taking its name from the same geographical feature that gave its name to the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church when it organized in 1897. The services reported here were for Union Branch, which was in Smyrna Township, not far from Wirt. RLDS records usually refer to it as being at Wirt. The minister who signed this letter, James G. Scott, had brothers, John Scott and Columbus Scott, who were ministers and also worked in Jefferson County

That there were Mormons in Jefferson County before 1900, although no known organization congregation, is made clear by this letter's reference to the Woodburns as having been old church members. The RLDS probably got its foothold by recruiting Mormons. Documents for 1873 and before are clear in reporting residents that were LDS members but not how they came to be in Jefferson County.

The Herald (also called the Saints Herald and True Saints Herald in some editions), Joseph Smith Editor, Plano, Ill., July 1, 1873.

Scottsville, Ind.,
June 27th, 1873.

Br. Joseph:

I have just returned from Jefferson County, Indiana, where. I have held some twenty day's meeting with good results. I had the honor of receiving four members from the city of Madison. Two of them were old church members, Br. Woodburn and his wife; and four from the world; in all eight of the best citizens.

We had a Pentecost; for two hours after confirmation, the Holy Spirit fell on two of the members, and they spake in tongues and prophesied; sang in tongues, and sang the interpretation. One was ordained priest. I do not suppose that such a time ever was enjoyed in the Reorganization; for the gifts were enjoyed by all the Saints. There are some twenty-four members at Union Branch; two priests, one deacon, two elders. The Branch is in good working order. We had a crowded house all the time, from two to three hundred, the people supposed. I was sent for about ten miles north to preach, and was promised a good meeting house; but I could not go at the time. This was in Jennings County. There is a great field in that place. I never enjoyed as much of the spirit of power in my life before. It was that the Lord caused the heavens to bow, for the good of his people. All the honor and the glory be to God. This theme is too glorious to dwell on longer.

Brother Woodburn made a public acknowledgment before all. He is to be esteemed as a brother; and will be a worker. It is believed that he will be sent to England. If I were able I would labor all the lime. May the Lord bless all his; for Christ's sake. Your brother in the new covenant bonds, JAMES G. SCOTT.

1882: A Minister Voices Support for Alcohol

Southern Indiana has always had a strong anti-alcohol sentiment among its religious groups.  However, there have been voices raised in enthusiastic support from the other side by religious leaders. In this 1882 anecdote, a Madison minister argues essentially "that if wine was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me."

Frank Leslie's Sunday magazine,  T. DeWitt Talmage, Editor Volume 12 No. 1, July 1882.

The Rev. Dr. Samuel R. Wilson pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, of Madison, Ind., was elected a delegate to the general Assembly, but the New Albany Presbytery refused to send him, for the reason, it is said, that he had objected to admitting a woman to plead before the Presbytery in favor of total abstinence and a prohibitory law. Dr. Wilson has published an open letter to the New Albany Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church in general, concluding as follows: "Thus let the Presbyterian people of God everywhere, and all the Church of God, know that the Presbytery of New Albany makes it a test of ministerial standing that her members shall approve of what Paul has forbidden, and shall co-operate with a self-constituted body of women, who, assuming without right the divine name of Christian, are using all their power and influence to secure the enactment of a law, under which, if Jesus were at a marriage feast in Indiana, and were to make and give to the guests, not for medicine, but as a festive beverage, a quart, not to Say a hundred gallons, of wine, as He did at Cana, He would be fined and imprisoned; and the Presbytery of New Albany, if their advocate, Mrs. Leavitt, is correct, would say He has been served exactly right. I would not consent to this deed, and, while regretting the shameful fact that not another elder was found who cared enough for the honor of his Lord to join in the protest, I thank God for the grace and courage given me to stand alone, with P.ml and Christ as my examples and teachers.